After teaching for some years in Australia, it is only after the reports are completed that I can finally breathe a sigh of relief and look at the festive season. It is only tonight that my list was made for gifts; although rather slim under the circumstances (less cash than usual), lack of $ somehow turns Christmas into a more meaningful event. Why? One needs to think about the gift because we want the gift to “mean” something to the receiver.
This reminds me of an O’Henry story.
I recall reading The Gift of the Magi as a teenager, which significantly affected my outlook on Christmas and the world.
It has been many years since reading this gem, so bear with my sparse and general prose; at least, hopefully, the primary theme, the “message,” will be made clear:
Around the 19th century in grand old London, a couple lived in a very small flat on the East end, but a flat was only large enough to cook their breakfast and dinner and sleep together in a single bed. Their home was humble yet clean as the wife ensured their home remained spotless, their sheets crisp and white, their windows transparent, ensuring what little sun they captured would shine through…
Unfortunately, the husband lost his job as a clockmaker because times were hard, and people could not purchase fine-crafted timepieces. But it was Christmas, the season for giving, acknowledging life’s miracles, and the birth of a true Man of God.
In only a few weeks, all their money evaporated, not from frivolous wants but from basic needs.
One thing you should know about this special couple is that they were wonderfully in love. Fine home, beautiful clothes, and objects of beauty made no difference to them as long as they had each other.
She had the longest, most beautiful hair in London. In fact, people on the streets, gentlemen, and ladies, would stop her and comment on its color, sheen, and magnificent appeal.
Though dressed in an old suit, he managed to maintain an air of respectability. His most prized possession was a gold pocket watch that had been given to him by his father, which had been given to his father by his grandfather, and so on. The watch had been in his family for many years.
Carelessly, as a young man, he lost the gold chain attached to the watch. From that day on, he kept the watch in a special box above the fireplace, fearing losing the object representing a long and vital family tradition.
Christmas meant so much to both of them.
Because of their intense love for each other, both felt a need to give each other a gift at this most important time of the year. But with no money, what could they do?
On Christmas Eve, both ventured out into the city, determined to find the perfect present.
Christmas morning arrived, and they rose from their single bed to the chilling cold of their flat.
Excited, he opened his present to find a gold chain for his most precious watch.
She looked at her lover’s face to find disappointment. Why would he not want a gold chain to wear his precious watch?
His lover opened her present to find the most beautiful ivory comb for her lovely long hair.
They looked at each other, and the truth had become clear to both: She removed a string from her hair to reveal that she had cut her beautiful hair.
“I am sorry, my love! I had to cut my hair to sell it to buy the gold chain for your watch!”
He smiled though he felt a pang of guilt.
“I am sorry, my love! I sold my gold watch to buy this ivory comb for your lovely hair.”
To them, it did not matter.
It was Christmas, and they had each other.
This is a beautiful story about the true spirit of giving.
I’ve never ever forgotten this beautiful tale and seem to remember it at this time of the season.
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